Presentations – getting over your fears
I’m not going to try to pretend in this article that giving a presentation is anything other than a stressful experience. Even the most experienced and accomplished presenter may be in a total state of panic in the lead up to his or her presentation.
However, there are certain fears that can block us from even preparing our presentation – and these can be dealt with by good preparation. Let’s look at them.
1.You get so nervous that your mouth goes completely dry.
Well the obvious solution is to make sure that you have a glass of water near you. Even better, have a couple of glasses of water shortly before you start – but not enough to make you want to have a bathroom break during the presentation 
2.You cannot think of a word to say. Your mind is completely blank.
Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. If you can rehearse in the place where you are to give your presentation, then so much the better. Have a written copy of your speech close by, just in case. And have a photo of somebody you love with you so that you can glance at it if you need reassurance.
3.The audience looks bored and people start conversations between themselves.
You need to be enthusiastic as a speaker. Your enthusiasm will convey itself to the audience. Good eye contact with the audience also helps. However, sometimes the audience is just not interested in too much detail on a particular point. Be prepared to cut your presentation if necessary.
4.Your visual aids don’t work properly.
This can be a nightmare for any speaker – and sometimes things happen which are outside of your control. However, make sure that you have mastered everything within your control. Make sure you know exactly how all the visual aids work well in advance of the presentation.
5.Members of the audience heckle during your presentation or are very aggressive during the questions
Well at least you’re getting a reaction 
The one key rule is to be polite and courteous at all times. Ask the hecklers to raise their points in the questions after the presentation. Then deal with them courteously. Where possible, try to anticipate these objections before the presentation and prepare answers to them. If you are stuck for an answer, throw the question back at the rest of the audience. This will give you more time to formulate your response.
I think many presenters fear that one of these situations will arrive during their presentation. However, think back through the hundreds of presentations you have been to. How often have you seen one of these occur? Rarely, I imagine. Don’t let fear of these cloud your mind too much. But do take the preventative steps I have suggested.
To listen to a recording of this, press the PLAY button.
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Tags: eye contact, giving a presentation, hecklers, state of panic, stressful experience, visual aids
March 5th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I think that iif you are well prepared for the presentation it will give that extra confidence you need
Not all in the audience are interested in what you saying especially if you are hitting area in a sensetive field
March 5th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
thank you
March 5th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Thank you so much Mr.
March 5th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Thank you so much Mr. Brown. I realy felt that this is what I needed.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:07 am
thanks a lot for your tips
March 6th, 2009 at 1:08 am
I have found one of these problem to me. It was blank in my head.
Thank you very much for tips and listening lesson
March 6th, 2009 at 1:13 am
Thank you Mr. Brown,althought the audio, is faster,I need to practice more time.I try it.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:27 am
it it very useful to anyone who want to improve their listening skill
thank you very very much
March 6th, 2009 at 1:49 am
I have always found that starting a presentation with the personal experience woven around the central theme of the presentation gives the speaker a solid ground of confidence from which he could easily take off.This also has the advantage of orienting the audience towards the subject matter of talk.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:52 am
These tips are very usefull
thank you so much!!!
March 6th, 2009 at 2:04 am
Thanks for your tips Mr. Brown . They really help to make better presentations.
March 6th, 2009 at 2:14 am
Thanks for your advice. It’s helpful for me because I’m having a mini-speech next time. Sure it help me very much to prepare my speech clearly. Thanks again!
March 6th, 2009 at 2:20 am
Thank you.. This text give me courage to make better presentacions, and to prepare me as a leader.
March 6th, 2009 at 2:43 am
Very interesting and useful. Thank you very much!!
March 6th, 2009 at 3:38 am
Thanks alot!
March 6th, 2009 at 3:45 am
Dear sir/madam,
Really this presentation will be usefull for me. I am looking for sentence formation. I am getting so much trouble when writing a sentence.Please advice me.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:49 am
It’s very nice to receive theses emails from you Mr. Brown. Thanks a lot!
March 6th, 2009 at 4:20 am
I need receive friendly letters .Please, send them to me. Thanks.
March 6th, 2009 at 4:30 am
Dearest friends,
It was a real gift to find your letter this morning
in my e-mail box. First of all, I wish Caroline to get well as soon as posible and I will pray she will be able to join us again with her lovely voice.
Thank you for the presentation,it is necessary for everybody and at all times. I’ll use this with my students at once. Ialso wish to thank you for the simplicity of using the sent material – everything is handily and convinient and wholly ready for using.
Love,
Tamara
March 6th, 2009 at 5:03 am
Tks so much.
March 6th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Thank you very much, Mr.Brown.
March 6th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Nice suggestions!
I personally feel that a short meditation on the “subject” just before delivery helps a lot.
Also a bit Practice is essential.
Many thanks
March 6th, 2009 at 5:41 am
Thank you Mr Brown. It is really helpful for the new presentors.
March 6th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Thank you very much Mr. Brown, It is really helpful!
March 6th, 2009 at 6:23 am
Hi,
First of all,i want to say thanks for this beautiful and accomplished letter.This is the most useful to know how to wipe out the fear and it has enhanced my confidence.Now i do’t have any problem with presentation.
Thanks once again
Ankur sharma
March 6th, 2009 at 6:33 am
Dear Mr Brown,
Thank you again for your useful tips.I thaik it is important to be well prepared befor the presentation. Be prepared , be prepared before you present your presentation. Try to speak with some audience befor the presentaion, that helps you to know the level of your udience.One again I thank you very much Mr Brown, and I do hope to receive more from you.
Kindest regards,
Emad Hussain
March 6th, 2009 at 7:07 am
Thx alot. Next I have a presentation I will be more confident. Thx for the advices
March 6th, 2009 at 7:10 am
Thanks a lot Mr Brown
March 6th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Thanks a million for your emails are of great importance.God bless you…
J.J. Shamsaf
March 6th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Thanks much.
And I want to share my doohickey with u all. I think most of us have the experience that: we were not be fear when we angrily talked with somebody or soliloquized in the presence of nobody. However we were usually nervous/atwitter when we talked with our secret love. So when I were presenting first, I told me that the audience were my enemies. hehe,
March 6th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Thank you very much Mr. Brown.
March 6th, 2009 at 8:01 am
I was very pleasured to receive this email from you. However I had some experience in the field of presentations, it was very interesting and useful to got someones suggestions. They really works!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:15 am
good morning
It’s very interesting and useful.
Every listening lesson is a surprise and all things are well done and well prepared.
I got enthusiasm with you and caroline sharing your experience in this field.
I wish caroline will get better soon
have anice day
March 6th, 2009 at 8:17 am
good morning
It’s very interesting and useful.
Every listening lesson is a surprise and all things are well done and well prepared.I got enthusiasm with you and caroline sharing your experience in this field.
I wish caroline will get better soon
have anice day
March 6th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Awesome! Especially the one on throwing back the question to the audience. It never feels like you are challenged by the question. Moreover, it gives you plenty of time and inspiration to respond. Someone else may even do that before and better than you!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Thanks a lot Mr Brown for these precious pieces of advice.
March 6th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Thank you so much for such great information which really help us develop techniques towards a perfect presentation.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Thank you very much, Mr. Brown!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Thank you very much my teacher
March 6th, 2009 at 9:19 am
thank you for your subject, it’s really great
March 6th, 2009 at 9:47 am
I always try to use as many of your teaching aids as possible but never get down to thanking you for them.
This last piece is as effective in the schoolroom as in a class for effective communication skills.
Thanks for the help
March 6th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Great presentation
March 6th, 2009 at 10:39 am
thank you very much Mr Brown It is really helpful for my students they like to study English with it
March 6th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Dearest friends,
It was a real gift to find your letter this morning
Thank you very much Mr Brown, It is really helpful for me to practice a presentation.
Please how to use this recordng…….
………………………………….???????
To listen to a recording of this, press the PLAY button.
.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
March 6th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Dear sir/madam,
Really this presentation will be usefull for me, but i can’t use the recording?????? I am looking for sentence formation. I am getting so much trouble when writing a sentence.
Best regards
March 6th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Thank you, Mr.Brown very much.
It was really helpful.
March 6th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Thanks for ur wonderful tips Mr.Brown….
March 6th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Mr. Brown,
Thank you for the presentation,it is necessary and useful for everybody.Thanks a lot!
March 6th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Thanks a lot. Useful ideas. Helpful tips.
March 6th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Thank you very much, Mr.Brown.
March 6th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Hi Mr. Brown!
Thank you so much . It really helps me a lot.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Hi Mr. Brown!
It was great! It helps me a lot!
March 6th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Hi Mr. Brown!
I am so lucky to be one of those thousands who received it… It helps a lot… Thanks so much!
March 6th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
thank you very much for your letter to my box. I hope I will receive your new letter as soon as possible
March 6th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
thanks for your great interest
March 6th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Thank you much! These tips are very useful!!
March 6th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Thanks for the lesson
March 6th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Thank you Mr Brown.
March 6th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Thank you… your advices is very useful.
March 6th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Thankou very much Mr Brown for sending us such important tips and emails. I wish that Caroline will be better as soon as possible. I will be hearing from you soon. Thanks again
March 6th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I think it useful for me and improve my listening skill.Thank you very much
March 6th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
good job!! The listening and the writing were very very clear!!!
March 6th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
After reading your guide line, now i have some confidence in me.And I pray to the Almighty for Caroline to get well as soon as posible.
with best regards
potendro.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Thanks for your help, it´s always important to receive new things and it is a very good listening activity.
March 6th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
thanks
March 6th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Thanks Pearson,
I consider your article interesting.
I have been giving lectures (not in english)for two years and I must confirm that the most important thing is perfect preparation and of course good ability for improvisation (in case of failure of technics) .
My advice: It is good to memorize first 20 sentences – it will give you more confidence from the begining.
Bye
March 6th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
this is the first time i send a mensaje to Caroline I hoppe you can answer to mi
i rely want to learn inglish
tanks
March 6th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
We are all required to make presentations at one time or another and the need for these skillls cannot be over emphasised, thank you for the insightful tips.
miriam
March 6th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
quite different from the other lessons but as instructive and interesting, especially regarding this topic -presentation- containing a lot of helpful instructions.
a little bit more difficult regarding the english level; I definetely need to improve my oral understanding!
Thank you very much for this lesson and all the previous ones…
March 6th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Thank you for your advise. Could you help me with my English? I want to conversation with somebody for improve my English.
March 6th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
thanks so much i´m continually learning a lot
contiue send to my mail your suggestions and articles..
March 6th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
It’s really dificult to understand(except by downloading the file.
March 6th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Thank you very much. It’s very useful and it’s a good thing that I can listen to these materials later again, because I’m so busy now and don’t have enough time to practice. I wish you all the best!
March 6th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
thanks a lot .
March 6th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Thank you so much for the tips. they are very useful especially for beginers. Hence we should urge our students to give presentations in class in frnt of their colleagues before they are compelled to do so in front of unknown audiences.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Thanks a lot.. Mr. Brown.It is really good.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Really, they’re lovely and useful tips. Many thanks
March 6th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Wow!!! This is really fabulous and miraculous
March 7th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Hello, Dear Mr.Brown
I’ve received your subject.Thank you so very much.
March 7th, 2009 at 1:11 am
Dear Ms Caroline,
Thank a lot for you kind information.
I wish you will be in good health in the coming day.
It’s very interesting in this programme and I hope I will receive your documents continuously.
BR,
Nguyen Song
Email: nv_song@ymail.com
Skype: nguyensong56
Mob: +84 905 176 371
March 7th, 2009 at 1:24 am
I found your comments very appropriate. I went myself through these problems, especially when I started dealing with the parents in my scout group (circa 1956!) –long ago overcame.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Hi, Mr. Brown.
Thanks for sending me tips. Hope you can slao send me tips in emceeing a wedding and a graduation/commencement. Just wanna know the RIGHT words to say…:)
God bless…
March 7th, 2009 at 6:26 am
correction: slao, it’s also…
March 7th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Thank you very much.I think it is very useful for me to practice the presentation.
March 7th, 2009 at 8:31 am
thanks alot ,it is already good global caustions ,and i feel we need more advanced skills in our presentations.
March 7th, 2009 at 9:37 am
I found the points very well laid-out and relevant for students, lecturers, all walks of life.
I also enjoyed listening to your well-modulated voice and found the pace easy to follow.
Thank you.
March 7th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Hi,
thanks for your tips.
One of the main issues I have been through during the presentation is doing it in another language!
But if you rehearse and rehearse everything can be done properly!
Thanks
Barbara
March 7th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Thanks a lot. This session was very useful
March 7th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Thank you very much for these very good advices. Especially the one to keep calm. It’s true that it is very important.
March 7th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Thank you for share this important topic!It is very useful.
March 7th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Thank you for your interesting article about presentations. I’ve analyzed your suggestion and I agree with your clarified points.
If you permitted, I would like to add two more points; the presenter must known himself and what he wishes to transmit.In second, she/he must practice before several times alone or with someone else in order to know what parts our speech it’s necessary to improve.
March 7th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
thnx a million br brownn ur classes are very useful
March 7th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Thanks! It is very nice to get your mails and hear some other speaking English. (because I hear only Norwegian in my school).
H.B.
March 7th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Thanks a lot.
I found this presentation very helpful.
You state the points in a very clear and concise way.
The tips will be most useful.
I look forward to receive your next documents.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
i’m very proud to be here.thank you Mr Brown,you’re very useful.Good health
March 8th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Thank you so much for the tips which would be helpful for warming up. I hope you would send us more tips like these in future. Thanks a lot, Mr. Brown
March 8th, 2009 at 6:48 am
dear friend,
thank you so much for the nice tips … I am teaching public speaking and I have been applying the techniques on myself and on my students … have a gr8 day … hug
March 8th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Thank you so much for these tips. I am going to give a presentation next week at the global HR meeting at work. This is helpful at this moment. I will be sure to remember the tips.
March 8th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Thanks. Everything I got here is very helpful for my teaching activities.
March 8th, 2009 at 11:33 am
many,many thanks! what a detailed tip
March 8th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I am grateful to you Mr Brown
March 8th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Dear sir
You’ve been recording useful information about presentations, but I have some problems keeping listening and concentrate myself during these presentations. Sometimes it happens just because of this way you talked about.
Thank you.
Best regards
March 8th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
hello!
I think your tips are fundamental principles for a good presentation.yes, they’re helpful.thank Mr Brown for that.
March 8th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
thank u mr. l ike that
March 8th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
thanks
March 9th, 2009 at 1:46 am
thank you very much Mr Brown, this is opportunity to me to practice used your adviced.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:50 am
Thanks alot Mr.Brown for the very impotant and useful tips.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:53 am
thank you , really i learned to hoe to present a presentation in group of audience. thanks once again, i hope look forward for some more articles of this type.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:54 am
thank you , really i learned to how to present a presentation in group of audience. thanks once again, i hope and look forward for some more articles of this type.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Thank you very much for your interesting article about presentations.
I wish you will be in good health.
March 9th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Dear Mr. Brown,
Thanks for your mail relating to presentations. They are useful for me in my work.
Best regards,
Agathemai
March 9th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I will try follow your advise and your speed
March 9th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Thank you so much for allowing me to listen to real material !!
I´m an English teacher willing for new sources of teaching .
March 10th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Dear Mr. Brown,
Whenever I talk in front of a lot of people, I always feel lots of butterflies in my stomach. All my confidence fade away, my tongue begins to twist, and all. With your lessons and tips that I received and soon be received, I pray that it will slowly vanishes my fears and anxieties….. Thank you in advance and God Bless you always,
March 10th, 2009 at 4:55 am
Thank you so much for your really usefull lesson.
March 10th, 2009 at 6:03 am
Thank u very much. ur suggestion are helpful and welcomed
March 10th, 2009 at 6:38 am
hi,Mr.Brown
I think this topic is useful for anyone getting a nervous motion when speaking in public.
Thanks for sharing.
March 10th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I’m glad to receive your aid on how to deal with some setbacks in a presentation. I’m Really grateful. A zillion thanks!
March 10th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Thanks Mr. , these are good steps to follow..
it always happen with me when i have presentations spi,ll try to use these steps in my next presnentation ..
ecially my mouth which get dry
Thanks again ,, ba bye
March 11th, 2009 at 12:50 am
Hi!
I’m glad to receive your tips.
God Bless you Mr Brown!
March 11th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Dear Mr.and Mrs Brown
i want to thank you for you help.
you are like angels.
thank you a million
March 11th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Dear Sir Brown
i just want to thank you a lot and wish you a good day.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
this was very helpful,thanks a lot!!!
March 11th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Hi Ms. Brown,
I remember when I first began my public speaking, so all of this applies. Now after 35 years worth of public speaking this acts as a refresher course. I always find it best to make friendly eye contact with a few people first. Also, I have learned to step away from the podium and if at all possible walk into an aisle or right up to the friendly area of the room and continue to deliver the presentation. I use plenty of hand gestures that invite them into my heart as I am invited into their hearts. Beyond that I have fun making the audience comfortable.
Thanks again with this timely piece.
March 12th, 2009 at 1:12 am
thank u so much… I really like listening to you… it is very helpful…
March 12th, 2009 at 1:13 am
i love it thank u so much…
hope to hear from u soon…
March 12th, 2009 at 2:31 am
Thank Mr Brown.I try to do what you writed in this topic.I think, this was helpful for me. Thanks for sharing.
March 12th, 2009 at 4:20 am
Hi All,
When I had my first presentation, it was looked like facing and and having a test of my confident. My first presentasion was carried on in front of a group of expert, professor and other person who I thought were more intelligence than me. Yet, I just share you, that learning your stuff is the most important. What is the reasons, fact, and relationship among our statement.
Wish every our presentation would succeeded
Cheers
March 14th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Hi!
This piece of information has been effective in order to give effective presentation.
I would like to know;How one can perk up the enthusiasm level.
March 15th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
The more you have clear understanding of the topic, the more your presentation goes good.
March 15th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
thank you so much…I look forward to receive your next documents.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
thank you
March 17th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Thank you very much for your kind efforts. I became one of your fans and hope that it will be continued in future. Wishing all the best
March 17th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
thank you thank you
thank you
March 18th, 2009 at 4:36 am
It’s hard to say by my words, now I got little advance from this. Thanks your mail and kind help. I am always wait fresh your mail.
March 18th, 2009 at 6:50 am
Thank very much. thanks. May God bless you.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Dear Mr. Brown,
Thank you so much for this wonderful effort in spreading the gospel of communicating (well?) in English. Being a Nigerian,English as the language of trade and politics is a vital tool especially to be able to communicate across the over 400no local languges and dialects. I particularly appreciate the way you present these lectures so systematically as one would teach a primary school child. Wonder if you couldoblige me with grammar exercises fit for undergraduates. Hope Caroline gets well soon. Please let her know we miss her.
March 20th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Dear Mr, & Mrs Brown,
Very jooyful friday evening to both of you. After my long day of duty at Uni, I’ve had my dinner an read the text about effective presentation. It’s ral handivap to me. Juniors in accounting course at our institute have to have presentation, me likewise will have it , too, sooner for our lecturers of ACC, ID, Finance Department. Whilst, I’m not good at it even though I’m teacher.
These tips really have encouraged me. I’ll also photocopy it and retell my ss, next week.
I whish Caroline healthiness, and fruitful inspiration when she back to her audio room for our sake.
By the way, could you pleace send me regarding efficiency and cohesion of “General& Business english in today’s global adoption. That would be grateful if you write me some tips, asap, possible.
Take care of yourselves
Chimgee
March 21st, 2009 at 6:54 am
Thanks for sending me email.It was very interesting.
March 21st, 2009 at 6:56 am
Thank you very much for an email.It was very interesting.
March 25th, 2009 at 4:36 am
Dear Mr and Mrs Brown,
Thanks a lot for the practical ,helpful ,insightful hints.As a trainer iv been able to raise the bar as far as the quality of a presentation is concerned and i owe a lot to you.I wish Caroline gets well soon and continues the good work.
Ms Reema.
March 25th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
thank u mr.Brown
March 26th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Thank you very much indeed.
March 26th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Thank you so much!
My mind goes blank when I present, but I rehearsed yesterday and today.
Your tips reminded me I have done excellent in past presentations.
I also teach effective presentations and I will support my students who helps on this.
Keep in touch.
March 28th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Thank you very much my teacher
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:57 am
Well, I have been in such a situation that my mouth was completely dry and I couldn’t remember anything. That was my real experience. Now I sometimes feel very difficult to make a speech.
Thank you very much.
April 7th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
thank you very much
I face so many difficulties to make a speech in front of peoples. I think my probleme have nown a solution so thanks for your lessons.
thanks
April 20th, 2009 at 6:51 am
I’m so happy when having a chance to learn English from your web.It is very useful for me in doing presentations.thank you so much.